Voting By Mail: A Cure for Voter Apathy

In the city of Lake Saint Louis April 2010 election, 546 residents voted in Ward 3. There are over 3000 voters in this ward. Not very good, but that is considered good in these times in this county.

I am your Alderman in Ward 3 and I am concerned that not enough people are getting out to vote. It is a privilege that many other countries are not provided. Especially concerning is that many young people are apathetic about this privilege. Maybe it is the system we have in place now and the cost of the process. The entire voting process all in one day—many people are involved these days in work, their children, church , etc.

Maybe there is a better way.

A change that simultaneously increases voter participation, saves millions of dollars, and would certainly help the struggling postal service would seem to be what public finances and America's civic health need. Voting by mail has a successful decade-long track record. It saves $2 million dollars each election cycle while enhancing voter protection and participation.

The Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University reports that 37 states allow some form of convenience balloting, including 13 that allow all-mail voting under certain circumstances. Only Oregon and Washington are universal vote by mail states and both states rank at the top in the nation among eligible and registered voters.

Universal vote by mail is the most effective means of ballot delivery because it unites the voter with the ballot. Security concerns are largely misplaced because any mischief is limited to single votes and caught through signature checks. And by definition , vote-by-mail leaves a paper trail in case of a recount.

Then why is it not more popular? It really comes down to political calculation. Both sides of the aisle fear that it is bad for their side. Voters like vote-by-mail. We can create new civic rituals, not just visiting a polling place in April, August, or November. Young people want efficiency and expediency and don't care about institutional ceremony. Right now, fast voting remains on the slow track.